EMMERDALE star Lisa Riley went back to school last Friday to watch the new generation of drama students in action.

Tottington-born Lisa, 20, who plays the bubbly Mandy Dingle in the top TV soap, visited St Gabriel's RC High School, Bury, to watch their production of The Mikado.

Deputy head teacher, Adam Loster said: "Lisa was in a number of plays and pantomimes while she was at school, so it was really where her acting career began. A lot of work has gone into this year's production and I think she was gobsmacked by the high level of performance."

And if Lisa is anything to go by, pupils at St Gabriel's should have a good grounding.

Lisa was recently awarded the National TV Award's Best Newcomer prize at a star studded ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.